Is AutoIt a reliable solution ?

Would you suggest using AutoIt 3 as an automation solution in some case? The result of automation has to be distributed on a large number of computers.
Application repackaging is difficult because installed files are different according to the configuration the software is installed to.

My main idea is to use it as a wrapper for errant Installshield Installs that are running with a /s and a response file. The standard template I have created in AUTOIT has a quick and easy progress bar that pops through and shows users that it is installing and a rough idea of progress which was the aim.

Sometimes if you want to retain the original MSI format and the install needs some sendkeys commands then it is the only way to do it.

A lot of pure VBScript fans seem to pour scorn at AUTOIT, but its a case of best tool for the job sometimes its VB sometimes AutoIT.

Now can someone solve an issue for me, is it pronounced AUTOIT as in "it" or IT as in I.T ?

I regard AutoIT as being very solid. I have used it to get out of tricky corners with poorly written installers lots of times. I have never had any occasion to believe that it contains any bugs. It does everything that it says. Make sure you get the latest version, and use the SCiTe editor, which has LOADS of excellent built in goodies for building GUIs, compiling etc. There are a couple of things that are easier in VB, but not much. As for VB fans pouring scorn upon it, I'm sure it's just because they are jealous of how easy it is to create user interface components (such as progress bars), and the fact that it compiles to a stand alone .EXE with no required runtime. AutoIT is a remarkable accomplishment and it gives me a comfortable feeling to know that if I can't repackage something, or transform it or otherwise make it useable in the way I want, AutoIt will always be there as a last line of guaranteed defence.

As for WinBatch, I don't know it very well, but AutoIT is freeware, and that wins every time for me!!

now in 2014 we use Winbatch 2014 and have used winbatch for the past 10+ years - Now that autoit is gone we need to use winbatch for send keys as that is the only thing i didnt like about winbatch sendkeys with previous versions like 2008 and older.